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ATHLETIC I/IBRARY 



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HOW TO PLAY 

AMERICAN 




BY 




JAMES I. BROKAW 



NIIW YORK 



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^mJ American Sports Publishing Co. :^,4 



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21 Warren StreetyNewYorK 



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SPALDING ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

SPALDING OFFICIAIi ANNUALS 

No. 1. SPALDING'S OFFICLVL BASE BALL GUIDE Price lOc 

No. 2. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL FOOT BALL GUIDE Price IOg. 

No. 6. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ICE HOCKEY GUIDE Price 10c. 

No. 7. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL BASKET BALL GUmE. . . . Price lOc. 
No. 7A. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL GUTOE. Price 10c. 
No. 9. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL INDOOR BASE BALL GUIDE. . Price lOc 
No. 12A. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL ATHLETIC RULES. . . . Price lOc. 

No. IR. SPALDING'S OFHCIAL ATHLETIC ALMANAC. . . Price 25c 

N0.3R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL GOLF GUTOE Price 25c. 

No. 55R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL SOCCER FOOT BALL GUTOE. . Price 25c 

No. 57R. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL LAWN TENNIS ANNUAL. . . Price 25c 

No. 59R. SPALDING'S OFFICUL BASE BALL RECORD. . . . Price 25c 

SPALDING'S INTERNATIONAL POLO GUIDE. . . . Price 50c 



Specially Bound Series of Athletic Handbooks 

Flexible binding;. Mailed postpaid on receipt of 50 cents each 

number. 

No. 5011.. STROKES AND SCIENCE OF liAWN TENNIS 

No. 502L. HOW TO PLAY GOJLF 

No. 5031.. HOW TO PLAY FOOT BALIi 

No. 504L,. ART OF SKATING 

No. 505L,. GET WEEL— KEEP WEEE 

No. 506E. HOW TO LIVE 100 YEARS 

No. 5d7E. HOW TO WRESTLE; TUMBLING FOR AMATEURS 

No. 508L. PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING; JIU JITSU 

No. 509L. BOXING; HOAV TO PUNCH THE BAG 

No. 510L. DUMB BELL EXERCISES 

No. 511L. INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES ; TENSING EXERCISES 

No. 512L. SCIENTIFIC PHYSICAL TRAINING, CARE OF 
BODY; 285 HEALTH ANSWERS 

No. 513L. WINTER SPORTS 

No. 514L. HOW TO BOWL 

No. 515L. HOW TO SWIM 

No. 516L. CHILDREN'S GAMES 

No. 517L. TEN AND TWENTY MINUTE EXERCISES 

No.'SlBL. HINTS ON HEALTH; HEALTH BY MUSCULAR 
GYMNASTICS 

No. 519L. SPALDING S OFFICIAL BASE BALL GUIDE 

No. 520L. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL FOOT BALL GUIDE 

No. 521L. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL BASKET BALL GUIDE 

No. 522L. HOW TO PLAY ICE HOCKEY; SPALDING'S OF- 
FICIAL ICE HOCKEY GUIDE 

No. 523L. HOW TO PLAY BASE BALL; HOW TO ORGANIZE 
A LEAGUE; HOW TO MANAGE A TEAM, ETC. 

No. 524L. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL LAWN TENNIS ANNUAL 
In addition to above, any 25 cent "Red Cover" book listed in 

Spalding's Athletic Library will be bound in flexible binding for 

50 cents each ; or any two 10 cent " Green Cover " or *' Blue Cover " 
books in one volume for 50 cents. 



(Continued on the next page.) 



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6-80-16 



SPALDING ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



No, 202 
No. 219 
No. 223 
No. 224 
No. 225 
No. 226 
No. 227 
No. 228 
No. 229 
No. 230 
No. 232 
No. 350 
No. 355 



No. 
231 



No. 356 



No. 



Group I. Base Ball 

"Blue Cover" Series, each number 10c. 
No. 1 Spalding's Official Base Ball 
Guide 
How to Play Base Ball 
Ready Reckoner of Base Ball 
How to Bat [Percentages 
How to Play the Outfield 
How to Play First Base 
How to Play Second Base 
How to Play Third Base 
How to Play Shortstop 
How to Catch 
How to Pitch 
How to Run Bases 
How to Score 

Minor League Base Ball Guide 

^How to Organize a Base Ball 

League [Club 

How to Organize a Base Ball 

How to Manage a Base Ball 

Club 
How toTrain a Base BallTeam 
How to Captain a Base Ball 
How to Umpire [Team 

^Technical Base Ball Terms 
Official Book National League 

of Prof. Base Ball Clubs 

Spalding's Official Indoor 

Base Ball Guide 

"Red Cover " Series, each number 25o. 

No. 59R. Official Base Ball Record 

(including College records) 

Group 11. Foot Ball 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 
No. 2 Spalding's Official Foot Ball 
No. 335 How to Play Rugby [Guide 
No. 351 Official Rugby Guide 
No. 358 Official College Soccer Guide 
"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 
No. 39R. How to Play Soccer. 
No. 47R. How to Play Foot Ball. 
No. 55R. Spalding's Official Soccer 
Foot Ball Guide. 

Group in. Tennis 

"Blue Cover" Series, each number 10c. 

No. 157 How to Play Lawn Tennis 

"Green Cover" Series, eachnumber 10c. 

No. IP. How to Play Tennis— For Be- 
ginners. By P. A. Vaile. 

"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 

No. 2R. Strokes and Science of Lawn 
Tennis. [tralasia. 

No. 42R. Davis Cup Contests in Aus- 

No. 57R. Spalding's Official Lawn 
Tennis Annual. 

(Continued on 



Group IV. Golf 

"Green Cover" Series, eachnumber 10c. 
No. 2P. How to Learn Golf. 
"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 
No. 3R. Spalding's Official Golf 
No. 4R. How to Play Golf . [Guide. 

Group V. Basket Ball 

"Blue Cover" Series, each number 10c. 
No. 7 Spalding's Official Basket Ball 

Guide 
No. 7a Spalding's Official Women's 

Basket Ball Guide 
No. 193 How to Play Basket Ball 
"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 
No. 58R. Official Collegiate Basket 

Ball Handbook. 

Group VI. Skating and Winter Sports 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 
No. 6 Spalding's Official Ice Hockey 
No. 14 Curling [Guide 

No. 209 How to Become a Skater 
"Red Cover" Series, each num,ber 25e, 
No. 8R. The Art of Skating. 
No. 20R. How to Play Ice Hockey. 
No. 28R. Winter Sports. 

Group VII. Field and Track Athletics 

"Blue Cover" Series, each number 10c. 

No. 12a Spalding's Official Athletic 
Rules 

No. 27 College Athletics 

No. 55 Official Sporting Rules 

No. 87 Athletic Primer 

No. 156 Athletes' Guide 

No. 178 How to Train for Bicycling 

No. 182 All Around Athletics 

No. 255 How to Run 100 Yards 

No. 259 How to Become ^ Weight 
Thrower 

No. 302 Y. M. C. A. Official Handbook 

No. 317 Marathon Running 

No. 342 Walking for Health and Com- 
petition 

"Green Cover" Series, each number lOe. 

No. 3P. How to Become an Athlete. 
By James E. Sullivan. 

No. 4P. How to Sprint. 

"Red Cover" Series, each number 25e. 

No. IR. Spalding's Official Athletic 
Almanac. [1912. 

No. 17R. Olympic Games, Stockholm. 

No. 45R. Intercollegiate Official Hand- 
book. [Running. 

No. 48R. Distance and Cross Country 
the next page.) 



ANY OF ICE ABOVE BOOKS MAILED POSTPAID UPON RECEIPT OF PRICE 

&30-16 



SPAIiDINe ATHLETIC LIBRARY 



Group VIII. School Athletics 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 

No. 246 Athletic Training for School- 
boys 

No. 313 Public Schools Athletic 
League Official Handbook 

No. 331 Schoolyard Athletics 

"Red Cover " Series, each number 25c. 

No. 61R. School Tactics and Maze Run- 
ning; Children's Games. 

Group IX. Water Sports 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 

No. 128 How to Row 

No. 129 Water Polo 

"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 

No. 36R. Speed Swimming. 

No. 37R. How to Swim. 

No. 60R. Canoeing and Camping. 

„ V Athletic Games for 

Group \. Women and Girls 

"Blue Cover" Series, each number 10c. 

No. 314 Girls' Athletics 

"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 

No. 38R. Field Hockey. 

No. 41R. Newcomb. 

Group XI. Lawn and Field Games 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 

No. 167 Quoits 

No. 170 Push Ball 

No. 180 Ring Hockey 

No. 199 Equestrian Polo 

No. 201 How to Play Lacrosse 

No. 207 Lawn Bowls 

"Red Cover" Series, each number, 25c. 

No. 6R. Cricket, and How to Play It. 

Group XII. Miscellaneous Games 

"Blue Cover" Series, each number 10c. 

No. 13 Hand Ball 

No. 282 Roller Skating Guide 

"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 

No. 43R. Archery, R o q u e , Croquet, 
English Croquet, Lawn Hockey, 
Tether Ball, Clock Golf, Golf-Croquet, 
Hand Tennis, Hand Polo, Wicket 
Polo, Badminton, Drawing Room 
Hockey, Garden Hockey, Basket 
Goal, Volley Ball and Pin Ball. 

No. 49R. How to Bowl. 

No. 50R. Court Games. 

Group XIII. Manly Sports 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 
tSTo. 191 How to Punch the Bag 



^'Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 
No. IIR. Fencing Foil Work lUus- 
No. 18R. Wrestling. [trated. 

No. 19R. Professional Wrestling. 
No. 21R. Jiu Jitsu. 
No. 22R. Indian Clubs and Dumb 

Bells and Pulley Weights. 
No. 24R. Dumb Bell Exercises. 
No. 25R. Boxing, 
No. 30R. The Art of Fencing. 
No. 44R. How to Wrestle. 
No. 56R. Tumbling for Amateurs and 

Ground Tumbling. 

Group XIV. Calisthenics 

"Blue Cover " Series, each number 10c. 
No. 214 Graded Calisthenics and 

Dumb Bell Drills 
"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 
No. lOR. Single Stick Drill. 
No. 16R. Team Wand Drill. 
No. 27R. Calisthenic Drills and Fancy 

Marching for Class Room. 

Group XV. Gymnastics 

"Blue Cover" Series, each nurnber 10c. 

No. 124 How to Become a Gymnast 

No. 254 Barnjum Bar Bell Drill 

No. 287 Fancy Dumb Bell and March- 
ing Drills 

"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 

No. 12R. Exercises on the Side Horse. 

No. 13R. Horizontal Bar Exercises. 

No. 14R. Trapeze, Long Horse and 
Rope Exercises. [Rings. 

No. 15R. Exercises on the Flying 

No. 34R. Grading of Gym. Exercises. 

No. 35R. Exercises on Parallel Bars. 

No. 40R. Indoor and Outdoor Gym- 
nastic Games. 

No. 52R. Pyramid Building, with 
Wands, Chairs and Ladders 

Group XVI. Home Exercising 

"Blue Cover " Series, each num,ber 10c. 
No. 149 Scientific Physical Training 

and Care of the Body 
No. 161 Ten Minutes' Exercise for 
No. 185 Hints on Health [Busy Men 
No. 238 Muscle Building [nasties. 
No. 285 Health by Muscular Gym- 
No. 325 Twenty-Minute Exercises 
"Red Cover" Series, each number 25c. 
No. 7R. Physical Training Simphfied. 
No. 9R. How to Live 100 Years. 
No. 23R. Get Well; Keep Well. 
No. 32R. Physical Training for the 

School and Class Room. 
No. 33R. Tensing Exercises. 
No. 51R. 285 Health Answers. 
No. 54R. Medicine Ball Exercises, 
Indigestion Treated by Gymnastics, 
Physical Education and Hygiene. 
International Polo Guide. . 50c. 



ANY OF THE ABOVE BOOKS MAILED POSTPAID UPON RECEIPT OF PRICE 

6-30-16 




JAMES I. BROKAW. 





Spalding's Athletic Libbary 
No. 13. Group XII. 



HOW TO PLAY 
AMERICAN 

HAND BALL 



A technical treatise of the modern game, 
fully illustrated and showing the correct 
court. It contains the rules, gives a 
careful analysis of different styles of play, 
describes how to construct and maintain 
indoor, outdoor and roof courts, etc., etc. 



By 
JAMES I. BROKAW 

New York 



PUBLISHED BY 

AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING 

COMPANY 

21 Warren Street, New York 




Copyright, 1915, by American Sports Publishing Company. 














^^ 



DEC 18 1915 



'^U). ■/ 



N5 




SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



All authorities agree that the human animal requires at least 
one hour of vigorous exercise in every twenty-four, or two hours 
a day, three days per week; and for some, one whole day in each 
week; but the first is the best method. The theory of all this is 
that physical activity expedites the ordinary process of elimina- 
tion of poisons from the system as well as moving any food not 
assimilated but remaining in the intestinal canal, enabling nature 
to strike a legal balance between intake and output, and restores 
our physical equilibrium. However doubtful the theory, the re- 
sults from exercise are sure. The visual proofs are found in a 
handsome face and figure and a splendid carriage, while the 
mind is cleared and the efficiency of all the mental processes im- 
proved to a marked degree— surely a desirable thing. It is a 
very old theory and a very popular one because of its extreme 
simplicity. What we can see and feel must be very nearly a 
fact; that which can be demonstrated to all will be accepted by 
all; where it can be shown that men, irrespective of age, can, by 
pursuing a given line of conduct, obtain a particularly desirable 
result, and the same result in all cases, we are getting very close 
to a certainty. It is this simple, clear cut fact that explains the 
increased popularity of athletics in an age marked by the greatest 
progress in general education. We actually "know" so very little 
about ourselves that we are eternally grasping any and every 
thing that seems to promise more knowledge of how to live 
healthily, and only too often are the victims of fakes and fakers. 
Actual, knowable, understandable facts about the human body 
are harder to get than money. Exercise will do all that is claimed 
for it if the subject is introduced to it properly. Unfortunately, 
many men and women suffer all their lives just because they 
failed to get started right, when exercise of the proper kind 
would' have spared them untold misery. 

A man is feeling mean, slow and sloppy, can't talk brightly or 
collect his thoughts properly the way he knows he is capable of 



4 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

thinking and talking; he Is not sick a-bed, but he has lost from 
ten to fifty per cent, of his efficiency and does not know why. 
The usual course is to consult a doctor, which should be the 
correct course; if the doctor is at all up to date he tells the 
patient, "Why, my dear fellow, you are not sick; all you need is 
regular exercise and you will be all right in a week." The only 
benefit the patient will get from this kind of advice is from the 
effect it may produce in his mind by allaying fears of being 
seriously ill. By "regular exercise" the doctor no doubt meant 
walking or some other isolated effort that no man can or will 
keep up for any length of time. The doctor should have given 
the patient proper medicine to clear out the intestinal canal and 
then advised him to go and exercise with other men; not under* 
any circumstances alone. The medicine would have been ten 
times as effective and the patient would have kept up the exer- 
cise and, happy, would have gladly paid the doctor for his 
knowledge and complimented him for horse sense, too; instead 
they usually think the doctor is stealing their money. 

As to regular exercise: Can we have it? Do we want It? 
Is it desirable? Absolutely not. Regularity to most minds sug- 
gests monotony, and between monotony and intelligence there is 
an eternal conflict. The nearer a human animal approaches 
perfect regularity in his daily existence, the less intelligence he 
is found to possess. Those primitive peoples that want little 
put forth but little effort to get it and their lives are fairly 
regular; the want, the desire, for more comforts or pleasures 
was the beginning of our complicated business structure and 
caused the advance in civIHzatlon. It Is a common saying that 
the more we get the more we want. We should not apologize 
for that, for it is a clear indication that we are a coming people. 
When all our wants are satisfied, instead of being completely 
happy, we shall be decadent and some other stronger race will 
overrun us. The more diversified our life becomes, the more 
attractive It is and the less we can perceive of regularity in it. 

No intelligent animal can be regular in anything for a few 
weeks without loss of mental efficiency. Exercise Is a waste of 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 6 

time if it will not increase efficiency. It will always do this if 
sufficiently diversified (irregular) ; regularity is unattractive, 
diversity is attractive. Men play all kinds of games from 
checkers to pitching quoits because the possibility is always present 
of working out new conditions and combinations. Once a man 
takes up a game, he will always return to it, unless through 
some peculiar physical or mental deficiency he is unable to 
acquire any skill at it. Start him at some isolated form of exer- 
cise and he will quit ninety-nine times out of a hundred and it 
will be doubly hard to get him to start the second time. 

V/alking, except for the extremely fat, is a poor exercise, 
because it affects one only from the hips down. Great runners 
and bicycle riders are wonderfully developed from the hips 
down, but above the hips there is little or no development and 
experience proves they are just as vulnerable to any serious 
disease as those that never took any particular exercise. No 
effort to speak of is required to walk, except for the extremely 
fat, and the fat man does not need exercise except, for artistic 
reasons, he may wish to reduce the amount of fat he carries, 
which at a certain point becomes a burden to him. Fat people 
always enjoy perfect digestion or they could not be fat; they 
have no feeling of weakness or soreness in the region of the 
stomach or solar plexus; they may be placed under the most 
exciting circumstances; you may load them down with respon- 
sibilities and there is no apparent change in their physical or 
mental health. We are forced to believe that the fat people 
are the result of a perfect pre-natal condition and a home 
environment of even-tempered people during the growing 
period. Nature is very kind to the fat. All others have an 
imperfect digestive function in some degree and millions of 
them don't know it. Many will end their lives without knowing 
it. Most of us have lost from ten to fifty per cent, of our total 
possible efficiency and in nearly every instance the cause is 
imperfect digestion; the differences are differences in degree 
merely. After observing many thousands, the writer is of the 
opinion that most men conduct their business daily with a 



6 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

capacity not more than sixty per cent, of their total efficiency. 
It is rare, indeed, to find a man anywhere near one hundred 
per cent, efficient. Very many boys of twelve to sixteen years 
of age have only fifty per cent, of their total natural efficiency. 
In the race of life, practically all start from "scratch"; just 
beyond scratch they commence to drop out. Many causes are 
ascribed; but, really, people die because they don't know how 
to live. There is absolutely no sensible reason why people 
could not live indefinitely *'if" they only knew how. From 
infancy we grow up, continually active (exercising), but there 
comes a time at some moment of our lives (some in boyhood, 
others in full maturity) when we commence to diminish our 
physical efforts, in many cases from choice; in many others 
without choice and superinduced by vocation. At that moment 
we commence to die. Diminished activity produces a sluggish 
liver and poor blood, gradually producing hardening of the 
arteries. These conditions always accompany disordered diges- 
tive function, the first result of inactivity and improper living. 
Most people go their way quite a while, never thinking a change 
has taken place in their general health; then something happens. 
It may be sortie trouble, or it may be additional responsibility 
thrust upon them, or it might be any one of a thousand circum- 
stances calling for more energy, and the call is answered by a 
feeling of great weakness in the region of the stomach and it 
cannot be thrown off by any mental effort of the strongest mind. 
Every effort we make to do anything important, excluding the 
things we do automatically, seems to draw on this region of the 
stomach or solar plexus, and when there is no reserve there, 
we must quit, for we have nothing to go on with; a man is as 
strong as his solar plexus. Most business men enjoy what they 
are pleased to call "good health," but let some little added strain 
or some disease strike them, and they go down and out like a ton 
of brick; they don't know what good health is. No man who 
drinks whiskey regularly can be in good health, one hundred per 
cent, efficient; it isn't possible. Some people live to a hundred 
years of age, but such cases are accidents, not the result of any 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 7 

method. Many people go along about their business, taking 
health, like the sunshine, for granted, until they commence to 
slip back; they cannot keep up with the rush; then they take 
notice, but it is often too late, for they are a long way on the 
road of misery and death and it is not easy to bring them back. 
In such a condition, they are vulnerable to attack of any of the 
serious maladies. A perfectly healthy person would not be 
stricken with pneumonia, typhoid or smallpox, because the germs 
of those diseases would be destroyed as soon as they entered 
the blood stream of a healthy body. 

There are many schools of medicine; there are many theories 
of practice, but it is mighty hard to prove any of them; at least, 
to the satisfaction of the layman. 

There is one thing, however, that can be proven beyond a 
reasonable doubt to an}'- mind and that is the results of exer- 
cise, and the value of those results. 

If we lift weights daily for a week, we can lift heavier weights 
at the end of the week than when we started. If we run a' 
mile every day for a week, we can then run a good deal more 
than a mile or run the mile with much less effort than when 
we commenced running; we are stronger and we know it. This 
increased strength is reflected in our every act, including think- 
ing and talking; the results are positive. How many other ways 
of gaining strength can we point to that are positive? If we, 
by effort, create a demand for strength, nature is always ready 
to supply it. If we don't use our strength, we soon lose it. 
Exercise to be even temporarily beneficial must be primarily 
from the hips up, for only such exercise will directly affect the 
region of the stomach or solar plexus, as the nerve centers 
there seem to control our every thought and action. 

The only attraction of whiskey is that* it creates a feeling 
very similar to the effects of physical exercise in those who 
drink it. This feeling does not last long, and there is a very 
unpleasant, unhealthy reaction, while exercise produces a 
stronger sensation, that lasts much longer, and without any 
reaction whatever. If exercise can be made readily available 



8 SPAIJ)ING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

and attractive to the whiskey drinker, he will give up the 
whiskey' nine times out of ten, for In drinking it he is merely 
trying to get the effects of exercise by a short cut. 

Physical exercise for people generally must make its appeal 
to nature's law of competition; the mind must be interested 
first of all and the physiologist must follow the direction of 
the psychologist, and the latter must take the initiative in all 
matters athletic. The purely physical must be subordinated to 
the purely intellectual. Entirely aside from the physical and 
incidental mental benefits derived from the exercise, the mind 
must receive an independent pleasure or satisfaction from the 
participation in such exercise or the subject will not continue 
and the exercise fails of its great purpose through the mis- 
direction of its advocates and promoters. It is with that thought 
in mind that we have tried to introduce in this book the 
game of American hand ball, which supplies all the elements 
inseparable from keen competition; affords incidental physical 
exercise of the most diversified kind and possesses the very 
important feature : that it can be made available where no other 
game can be played and at a minimum of expense. 




ONE OP THE SPLENDID HAND BALL COURTS OP THE ILLINOIS 
ATHLETIC CLUB, CHICAGO, J. T. MAHAN, PHYSICAL DIRECTOR. 




FIGURE 1. 
PLAN OF AN AMERICAN HAND BALL COURT 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. H 



FIGURE 1 

American Hand Ball, like many of our sports, is an evolution 
of another game; it has grown out of Irish (four-wall) Hand 
Ball, Cuban Hand Ball and Squash Tennis, and Americanized 
into a very fast scientific sport, especially adapted to cities 
where area or floor space is very expensive and consequently 
not available for other sports. The game retains some of the 
features of the three games mentioned, but by adding numerous 
ideas of local origin and by improving the court, the gloves, 
and the ball, and by shifting the lines, increasing or decreasing 
the size of the court, a court has been evolved that gives the 
defense an equal chance with the offense and still supplies 
plenty of action; and by developing a proper color scheme of 
the court and immediate vicinity, including correct lighting of 
indoor courts, the game has been brought to a high degree of 
perfection, and where players have equal mechanical ability and 
are equally fast, becomes a battle of wits as well as a physical 
contest, and this seems to be the American idea of what a 
sport should be. 

Different sized courts are a bad thing for the game and should 
be corrected at once. A court that is too wide gives too much 
advantage to the offensive or serving side; while a court that 
is too narrow gives an unfair advantage to the defense. A 
court that is too long merely serves to slow down the game, 
taking much of the action out of it, which is one of the chief 
attractions. 

The correct court should keep the player in action all of the 
time, in both doubles and singles, and at the same time give 
each side an equal chance to score a point or a putout. 

The service line should be placed so no player, through some 
peculiar natural ability resident in him, could acquire a serve 
which would (without skill in any other department of the 
game) enable him to win. The correct court, as shown in 



12 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

Figure 1, makes this impossible, for every serve or other shot can 
be returned if the player is judging his opponent correctly, and 
wherever this court is used interest in the game and the quality 
of the play has improved immensely. Any man or boy can 
become sufficiently good at American hand ball in a short time 
to get a lot of fun out of it; but to be a star player requires 
one to start to play when young and keep at it. Plenty of 
energy; be able to think quickly; get speed on the ball and con- 
trol with either hand, for it is a two-handed game; fast on 
one's feet — these are the requirements of the game. No player 
can become good if he can score with one hand only. The left 
or less dexterous hand will readily respond to practice and 
become ninety per cent, as effective as the right. To be able to 
put great speed on the ball with either hand is a powerful 
asset; in singles seventy-fi.ve per cent, and in doubles ninety per 
cent, of the shots and returns must be fast or lose much of 
their effectiyeness. 

Speed, however, is not all. If the player with speed Is wild 
and cannot control the ball (a common fault), the one with fine 
control, though with little speed, will win out nine times out of 
ten. Those players that are able to get great speed on the ball 
are prone to use it upon all possible occasions, because there is a 
fascination in seeing the ball travel swiftly, also in knowing 
your opponent is going to have trouble in getting it back to the 
board. To be able to put speed on the ball is usually natural, 
whereas skill in placing must be acquired. A player who from 
the start finds he can put unusual speed on the ball should cut 
down the speed and confine his practice to placing the ball, for 
he won't lose his speed, and after he has secured control his 
speed will be a fine thing to add to his game. After the speed 
and the mechanical skill in placing come the intellectual side of 
the game, which is the most interesting. 

The theory is to put the ball where your opponent isn't; put 
it where he is, but is unable to handle it; bluffing him into the 
belief you are going to put it in a particular place and then 
make a different play; anticipating a play, by taking a position 



SPALPING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 13 

where you believe your opponent is going to place it, thereby 
being ready to make your own play to better advantage. When 
a player is able to judge his opponent's play a slight fraction of 
a second in advance of the actual play, he will, other things 
being equal, win every time. 

All classes of players of all degrees of skill should make as 
few preliminary motions as possible before meeting the ball, for 
it is these initial motions that give the alert mind the direction 
the ball is going to take. One should try to make as many shots 
and serves as possible with one set of preliminary motions, thus 
keeping one's opponent guessing as long as possible and delaying 
his start to cover the point threatened. 

In serving the ball, the writer uses fourteen different serves 
regularly, half of which he can deliver with one set of motions, 
and there are others which he is unable to use. It is always 
a strong factor to hurry one's opponent; don't give him time 
to steady himself ; keep rushing him in his returns ; compel 
him to make errors. If you cannot place the ball yourself to 
score, don't give him the time to do so; make him travel after 
every ball and keep him traveling until you work him into a 
tight place where you can make a scoring shot. It is this rush- 
ing — hurrying by both sides — that cause the "rallies," those very 
exciting periods when the ball is constantly returned without 
either side being able to create a situation that would permit 
them to score. 

The time necessary to get into position and steady oneself 
to place the ball varies much with different players, but all 
require some time, and, in the absence of errors, the more 
this element of time is limited by both sides, the closer and 
faster the game will be and the more exciting. 




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SPAIiDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 15 



THE OFFENSIVE 

The "offensive" side of American Hand Ball is nominally with 
that side holding the serve, because only the server's side can 
score points and because the serving side should take greater 
chances to score, for failure only means losing the serve to the 
defensive side and that side should go right in and take the 
same chances, and if they don't they will never get anywhere in 
this game, for winning by default (your opponent's errors) is 
not very brilliant sportsmanship. 

Most players are better defensively than offensively, because 
it is much easier to merely return the ball without special direc- 
tion than it is to try to place every return with intent to score, 
or at least embarrass your opponent, which the offensive side 
must do. To place the ball at all requires one to get into at 
least a fair position to meet the oncoming ball, for being out of 
position, or not having sufficient time to get into any position, 
means an advantage to the other side. 

As the serve is the commencement of hostilities, we will con- 
sider that first, as it is very important. An effective serve is 
one that prevents the defensive player from putting out the 
server or seriously embarrassing him on the first return. A 
good assortment of serves is better than one, no matter how 
effective the one may be, for with ten or more different and well- 
controlled serves there is always variety of style and something 
in reserve; but with one, even extraordinary, serve, the owner 
of it is lost just as soon as some one finds a good defense for it. 
The serve should always be made from a point as close to the 
board as the rules allow, which is the service line, because this 
shortens the time that the ball is in transit to the server's oppo- 
nent and to that extent limits his ability to place it. 

The right-handed player should stand on the left side of the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 17 

court, with the left foot on the side line, the right foot about 
eighteen inches away from the line; from this position he should 
be able to make all his serves ; also, he can note the position of 
his opponents, observe whether they are on their toes or are 
careless, flat-footed, leaning in the wrong direction, or showing 
signs of fatigue, all of which should govern his action, and he 
can do this for the longest possible time from this correct posi- 
tion of serving the ball. 

The server should drop the ball to the floor so that it will 
bounce just as high as he wants it to, or he may throw it to the 
floor, making it bounce high and serve it when it has fallen to 
the point that suits his purpose. As soon as the ball has left 
the server's hand he must give his attention to his opponent, to 
see if the serve was a success; if opponent is unable to return it 
effectively and, if so, see from the preliminary motions of oppo- 
nent where the ball is going, and this, if possible, before the 
ball has actually left opponent's hand and then get into position 
to make an effective shot. If, however, the first return is so 
good that it will not permit the serving side to try a scoring 
shot, the offensive side must make a defensive shot that will pre- 
vent the defensive side from making a shot, and these general 
tactics must be continued until one side is able to bring about a 
condition that makes scoring possible. 

With a good serve, it is nearly impossible to put out the server 
with the first return. It is, however, possible for the server to 
score on the first return several times during a game, but the 
real generalship of the game commences after the first return. 
The constant starting, stopping and changing of direction in 
one's course, the "rapid fire" action of a very fast ball com- 
ing at one from all sorts of angles, leaving so little time in 
which to think, and the knowledge always in mind that the 
slightest mistake in attitude or the merest imperfection in a 
glove may deflect that little ball anywhere but where you want 
it to go, creates a situation very wearing on the best trained and 
strongest of men. Only under such conditions, however, can the 
skill of the game be brought out to the highest degree. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 19 

There are several serves that may be used in singles that can- 
not be used in doubles, because of there being two defensive 
men. A server in doubles should only use those serves of which 
he has the finest control, for at best he can only slightly incon- 
venience his opponents, and his only aim should be to avoid 
getting into a hole on the first return, after which scoring must 
be planned. One principle of play is for the offensive side to 
place their returns so as to draw both opponents to one side of 
the court, thereby making an opening to score on the side of the 
court uncovered; by driving one opponent out of either side of 
the court with angle returns, thus exposing the center to a pos- 
sible scoring shot, which may be a short or a long fast or slow 
drive, according to the whereabouts of the other opponent; by 
making high and long drives, which take the opponents far from 
the board, and awaiting a favorable opportunity to make a long 
low shot with intent to score, which shot should be followed up, 
but the start to follow up should not be made until the particular 
opponent going after the ball has started. Allow him to keep 
slightly in advance of you, so he will not know you are there, 
and be prepared, if he should get the ball, to make a hard drive 
right at him, for having traveled very fast, with his whole weight 
leaning heavily toward the board, he is in a weak position to 
handle a fast ball, with no time to get into position. But if by 
good fortune he does handle the hard drive, the next drive 
should be at his partner, who by this time is becoming concerned 
about his team mate and is probably edging over to help him out, 
leaving part of his own territory uncovered. It is only a chance, 
but the offensive side must take chances, and this is a good 
chancCi if not used too often. The unexpected is difficult to 
guard against. 

Where a return is slow or comes off the board in a manner to 
give the one receiving it plenty of time to get into position, a 
bluff position should be taken up at first, which will cause the 
opposition to alter their positions, and, after waiting as long as 
possible, change your play to conform to the new attitude of 
your opponents and your play, if well executed, should be more 
effective. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 21 

Where the ball takes an unexpected high bound — perhaps the 
result of a glancing blow falls slowly — deliberately take up a 
position to make a certain play, knowing both opponents are 
watching you, and after the ball has fallen to the point that suits 
your purpose, make an entirely different play from that by your 
preliminary motions you led your opponent to believe you were 
going to make. 

If one of your opponents should be weak on certain kinds of 
balls (every one is weak in -some manner or degree), it is desir- 
able for both players to concentrate their returns on him for a 
time, and if he stands up under this pounding — very few can — 
sooner or later his partner is certain to come to his assistance, 
when your opportunity is open to score ; but it must be watched 
for all the time, for such opportunities don't remain open for 
more than a fraction of a second. 

The most important single feature in doubles is to know 
where your opponents are — that is, their exact position in the 
court — before making your play, for every play is governed by 
this consideration. If you find yourself in front of your oppo- 
nent, make a hard drive in front of yourself or your partner, 
so as to bring your ogponent ipto view; or, make a high, long, 
slow drive, and while the ball is in the air you can turn and see 
your opponent arjyd get his purpose. Under no circumstance look 
back after a ball that is being played, for if struck in the eye, it 
would ruin the sight. 

Another feature in doubles is to draw in towards the center of 
the court occasionally, leaving about three or four feet between 
yourself and a side line, making an opening for your opponent 
to attempt to score and, while appearing indifferent, always 
watching this uncovered spot. • If your opponent eagerly seizes 
this chance (they usually db), you are prepared to surprise him, 
get his shot and make yours in the same place, which is very 
disconcerting; also, he, in his zeal to take advantage of your 
apparent carelessness, may put the ball out of the court, for, as 
will be seen, this shot must be very close to the line to be even 
moderately effective, and its value is chiefly in tempting your 



SPAJLDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 25 

opponent to make errors, and they certainly do make them try- 
ing for this play. 

To drive a ball to the board and have it come back eighteen 
or twenty feet and land within an inch or two of the side line 
requires a degree of control absolutely unknown in any other 
game. The successful shots of this kind average about three of 
every seven tried by good players ; it is, therefore, a failure as a 
scoring proposition,, but that does not prevent most players from 
trying to make it every time they have a chance. In doubles the 
four men are moving all the time. Those men not actually 
making a play should be moving about in accordance with a 
well-defined plan, governed by the position of the ball, but ever 
prepared to make an effective play should the ball come to them, 
which it certainly will, for there is no time for loafing in this 
game. 

One set of scoring shots depend entirely upon accuracy for 
their success ; another set of scoring shots are dependent upon 
speed. The first contemplates that the player shall guess cor- 
rectly where his opponent is going to place his shot, be ready set 
to receive it, be deliberate in making the swing, use only a 
moderate degree of speed, and the result should be that the ball 
will strike the floor within an area not more than six inches in 
diameter. This class of shots should not be attempted until one 
has maneuvered one's opponent as far away from the spot where 
the shot is to be made as possible. The other set of scoring 
shots that depend upon speed only may be made more frequently, 
but their effectiveness is dependent upon two conditions : the 
defensive player must be sufficiently close to the board and the 
ball must be made to strike the floor on an iojaginary line parallel 
with the defensive player's position at the time and just beyond 
his reach, say two feet on either side of him. If the ball is fast 
enough, he won't have time to move his body into position, and 
all he can do is make a desperate grab at it, with the result that 
the ball flies off the ends of his fi,ngers for an error. In doubles 
there is rarely a wide opening to score if the players are good. 
The correct tactics of both teams is to keep their respective ter- 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 27 

ritory so well covered that a scoring shot cannot be made, and 
if the teams are both strong and both fast the result will depend 
upon which team possesses the greatest ability in maneuvering 
their opponents into positions where scoring becomes possible. 

Figure 2 and Figure 3 show some of the best serves. No. 1 
and No. 2 should not be used in doubles. Nos. 3, 4 and 5 may 
be used in either doubles or singles. No. 1 and No. 2 must have 
all the speed possible. No. 1 is. served so close to the floor that 
there is just space for the hand to pass without touching the 
floor. No. 2 is served from the same position but about two 
inches higher on the board, which makes it appear to one's oppo- 
nent when it starts just like No. 1. No. 2 lands very close to 
the front line, while No. 1 lands just over the service line. 
Neither one is very effective, but when mixed up they are valu- 
able not alone for their similarity in appearance, but because 
the second bounce occurs very quickly! Where the defensive 
player is inclined to stand close to the front line of the court it 
is well to serve No. 2, and when he moves back use No. 1. 

No. 3 is a long, low serve to the right corner, must be delivered 
with great speed, and land within a circle not more than two feet 
in diameter. It is very difficult to get this serve back with any 
degree of accuracy. No. 4 is served with the same* swing and 
other motions, but lands just over the service line. It is effective 
in singles, but should be used only occasionally in doubles. No. 
5 is a serve that is started slow, strikes the board high and 
should land where No. 3 lands, bounce very high and result in 
driving the defensive player back about ten feet to get into a 
position to return it, for it can only be returned accurately when 
the ball begins to fall, that is, after the ball has attained its 
greatest altitude. The good feature about this serve is that it 
takes the defensive player a long distance from the board. The 
bad feature is that it is difficult to know where the return will 
land, for the defensive player himself does not always know. 

The return should always be slow and high, which will give 
the player time to get back in position to defend his territory. 
It should be used only occasionally. No. 6, a serve to be deliv- 




shows course of served ball. 
-> shows course of return. 
>• shows where the return strikes floor of court. 

DIAGRAM NO. 1. 

?>?i^oif ^?^ ^^?^^ ^^*^ ^''"^''* ^^^* returns of serves. No. 1 and No. 5 where 
«ie ball strikes the board and where It strikes the floor. The return of servl 
No. 1 IS good m singles and there are two very good alternatives One fsl 
return to the right, very low on the board, so that after thrSsf bounce thi 
ball IS out of the court; the other is a hard long drive along the left side 
line to be used when the server starts too quick to cover an imagined plal 
somewhere else. The first return of serve No. 5 is the best thf t can be 
made m doubles but should be closer to the right line in sinjles Onl 
wTir.^ '' *?.''"i'^ *^^ ^^" ^^^^ «° t^« left of the server, strike the boa?d 
Sriir,^ from the floor, and strike the floor close to the left side line TMs 
should be usea only occasionally in doubles, but is always safe in s ngies. 




SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 29 

ered with all the speed possible, and, in doubles, should be 
directed at the server's partner and land as close as possible to 
the front line, and when so served it is nearly impossible to do 
anything more than return it. If the left defensive player takes 
it he must go behind the server's partner and if the right defen- 
sive player takes it, it must be with his left hand, and very often 
they both go after it, and an error usually results. 

No. 7 is the same as No. 5, but delivered on the left side of 
court. It has the same result as No. 5 and should be returned 
the same. No. 8 is the same as No. 5, but should land the same 
as No. 6. 

No. 9 is a serve delivered with great speed, very low on the 
board and to land just over the service line, directly towards the 
server's partner. It is only good when unexpected and frequently 
causes both defensive players to go after it. 

No. 10 is a serve made to imitate any of the others, but with 
the speed reduced to the minimum. The motions of the server 
should be exactly the same as, for example, in No. 3, and just 
before meeting the ball he should pull in the speed of his hand; 
the intention is to confuse the defensive players. A good feature 
where a player has fine control is make a serve like No. 2 or 
■■ No. 3, with extraordinary speed and very wild and "long" ; this 
. gives the impression to the defensive players that you are wild, 
and then, with equal speed, drop the next one, as in No. 2 or 
No. 3. The defensive player will wait to the last fraction of a 
second before playing it, believing it is going outside the court, 
and frequently does not play it at all. In singles any serve is 
good if unexpected, but in doubles they must be mixed up all 
the time. 

THE DEFENSIVE 

The defensive side of the game is with the "outs", the side 
that cannot score but must prevent the serving side from scoring. 
Defensive players should not take the long chances the serving 
side must take, because a mistake or error is a score against 
them; whereas, a mistake or error for the serving side, while 




indicates serve. 
-^ indicates first returns. 

DIAGRAM NO. 2. 

This diagram shows returns of serves No. 3 and No. 4. The first return of 
serve No. 3 should be slow, high on the board, and land close to the front 
line. It IS good in either doubles or singles and has many possibilities of 
breaking up the plans of the offensive side. One alternative is to plav the 
right corner low, j.f the server's partner is too far from the board to set if 
^ .^^i ^^ dangerous without fine control. The first return of serve No 4 
should be very hard, about five feet up on the board, and land close to the"-^ 
front line. The server may attempt to play this drive, and if he does he^ 
must play it on the fly and from the center of the court, leaving all the ■ 
Ifou^l^'^'^'v^^ !f". uncovered; the left defensive player should immediately- 
SF+,! • ^f ^^^^,?* No. 4 serve m singles should be made to the right,"-" 
along the right side line, and if sufficiently hard will score a pu tout, but in 
any case it will take the server at least eight feet outside the court to get 
It, or thirty- four feet from the board, and if the defensive player guesses right 
l^ ^% 1° }^^ correct position, he should score a putout on this return. A 
powerful alternative is a hard drive of the same elevation, but to strike the 
floor at about the serving position. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 31 

they lose the serve, they do not lose any points. The general 
principle of defensive play consists in very carefully making all 
returns ; making at least thirty-five per cent, of them high on 
the board, slow and long, so placed as to give the offensive play- 
ers as much. trouble as possible to get into position to try for a 
scoring shot. These tactics should continue until a reasonably 
sure opportunity to make the putout has been brought about, 
which will only come from patience and perseverance. 

Defensive players should not be tempted into putting great 
speed on the ball (leave that for the offensive side), but exer- 
cise the greatest care in avoiding errors and get the ball back to 
the board, for returning it right where the offensive player 
wants it is immeasurably better than not getting it back at all. 
However, speed should always be used when the player is in 
position to deliver it, but it should not be attempted from an 
awkward position by a defensive player. In doubles, the player 
receiving the serve should make his first return very fast^ about 
five feet up on the board, just out af reach of the server's right 
hand, for the following two reasons : First, it will tempt the 
server to try and play it, and if he does the defensive player on 
that side of court moves into the position the server has just 
vacated, and if the server makes his return on this side — that is, 
on his left — the defensive player already there and waiting should 
make a fast play with either hand along the left side line. 
Second, if the server refuses to be tempted on the first return, as 
just referred to, his partner must move over to the left side of the 
center of the court to play it, which exposes all of the right side 
of the court of the offensive side to several possible scoring 
shots that may be made by the defensive side^ just which one 
to use being governed by the kind of return the offensive player 
makes. If it comes back high, either defensive player should 
play it from a fly and so it will strike the floor close to the other 
offensive player, and with a defensive player on either side of 
him, he is in a hole, and the defensive players should continue to 
drive the ball to him, keeping it all the time close enough to 
prevent his partner from playing it and with sufficient speed to 




DIAGRAM NO. 3. 
This diagram shows first return from E of serve No. 2— a hard drive with the 
left hand — which draws the server a long distance from the board. There are 
tyvo good alternatives: After the ball is served, the server should cross the 
side line into the court to protect himself, permitting a hard drive along the 
left side line; another alternative on this serve is a low drive with more 
accuracy than speed, low on the board in the right corner, but should not 
be used in doubles. F shows first return of No. 9 serve, in doubles only; a 
good alternative is directly in front of the player making the return and 
Should bring the second bound at the player's feet^ 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 33 

prevent him from playing the ball over his head and thereby- 
getting out of the hole. 

.^ If the server has a poor left hand, the first return may be 
rather low on his left and the same plan as previously noted 
employed. Where the offensive side makes a low corner shot to 
score, the defensive should always return it high and as near the 
center as possible, but in singles it may be returned low to 
either corner or high and long. 

If a server accidentally makes a poor serve, he is in a weak 
position and he knows it and it disconcerts him, and for that 
reason the defense should play him from the first return. If the 
server gets caught in close to the board, it is the duty of his 
partner to protect his rear in case the defense should play a 
fast ball through him, and for that reason, if the server, after a 
rally of three or fo'jr returns by each side, is able to keep his 
end up, either defensive player might find it to be good judgment 
to play the server's partner, especially if they know where the 
server's partner is at the moment. It is very desirable for the 
player of either side, who is not actually making a return, to 
lose himself to at least one of his opponents, because it will 
modify their style of play, for a player that knows the exact 
location of both opponents will make his play with confidence 
and judgment. On the other hand, it is some times important 
to show oneself to the opposition after being lost, in order to 
influence them to make a particular play, always being ready to 
get into position to receive that play and to counter to the best 
advantage. 

It is very Important In this game, as In all games, to be quick 
In learning the little weaknesses of one's opponent, In order to 
take full advantage of them. It Is equally important to quickly 
learn the strong features of one's opponent and give him as few 
opportunities to use them as possible. There is a correct return 
for every ball, which must be decided by the player before the 
ball has left the board and, when possible, before It has left the 
hand of one's opponent. Where a choice can be made between 
playing a ball short or long off the board, preference should be 




DIAGRAM NO. 4. 
This diagram shows returns of throe 
serves. The first return of serve No. 6, 
at G, is rather slovr, high on the board, 
lands close to front line and should 
create openings for scoring, but it must 
be executed with great care. The first 
return of serve No. 8, at H, is similar to 
6 and has the same motive. These long 
shots require just as much care in get- 
ting into position to receive. Return of 
serve No. 7, at 1, is fairly fast, about 
six feet up on the board, should land 
close to the junction of the right side 
line and the service line and mark the 
beginning of angle shot play, which af- 
fords greater opportunities for the em- 
ployment of strategy as well as large 
scoring possibilities. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 35 

given to the long drive, because the ball while traveling on a 
fly goes much faster than after it has struck the floor for the 
bounce. This makes possible many scoring shots just beyond 
the reach pf one's opponent, which, if the bounce occurred any- 
where in front of him, he would have time to get. There are 
many scoring shots that must have a bounce to them. They 
should always be used with due regard to the speed of one's 
opponent in traveling to the spot open and uncovered. Some 
men are so fast that it is necessary to maneuver them ten to 
twelve feet away from the point that a scoring shot with a 
bounce is to be made, and even then the bounce must be exceed- 
ingly short or they will get it. 

Those just beginning to learn the game should play all balls 
on the bounce, continue this method until they are able to judge 
both the speed and direction of the ball correctly, and make their 
returns fairly high on the board; next, they should learn to judge 
the ball coming ofl^ the board and before the bounce; then they 
should try getting the direction of the ball between opponent's 
hand and the board, and the final stage is to learn how to 
fathom the intention of one's opponent before he has made his 
play. All those that wish to play the game for exercise and 
mental diversion may become sufficiently skillful in playing two 
or three times a week ; but those who wish to become star players 
should play at least one hour every day and take other corre- 
lated exercises tending to improve their wind, strengthen their 
abdominal muscles, loosen up their legs and arms and give them 
steadiness. 

The only safe method of playing the ball is with the full arm 
movement from the shoulder, because only with this style can 
fine control ever be attained. Never use the movement ordinarily 
used in throwing a base ball, for at best it is erratic and the ball 
must be struck by the fingers instead of the palm; the palm, 
being much thicker and heavier and for this purpose constituting 
one member instead of five, is easier to control, making accuracy 
possible on a much greater variety of shots; whereas, with the 
throwing motion, the player must receive the ball within certain 




A Short 
Rally in 
Singles 



shows where the return 
strikes floor of court. 
I shows course of the server 

I — 5 shows course of Deff^ndvA^ 

1 defensive player. p| 'J;® 

S^^BS S^SS shows the scoring -shot. ^*o.yeT 

DIAGRAM NO. 
This diagram shows a short rally in a game of singles 
where the server scores. In this rally the server or offensive 
player has traveled sixty feet and the defensive player 
seventy feet, yet the offensive player scores. The serve is 
No. 3 as shown in diagram A, at 1; the defensive player 
moves to 2 and returns the ball, long on the right, and the offensive moves, 
first to A and then to B, and returns the ball to the left; the defensive player 
moves to 3, a covering position, then moves to 4, and returns the ball after a 
great sprint; the offensive player moves from B to C, a covering position, then 
to D, and by a hard left hand drive to the right scores a point; the defensive 
player, after making a good get at 4, hustles back in the court at 5, a proper 
covering position, where he now sees the play the offensive player is making, 
makes a desperate effort to reach the new position, but at 6 sees the ball pass 
him just beyond his reach. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 37 

circumscribed limits in order to use it at all and, if tied to this 
style, is helpless before any player that can prevent him from 
receiving the ball within those limits. For the same reason, the 
circular swing of the arm ending at the hip, so much used in 
Irish hand ball, should be discarded. With the full arm. move- 
ment, while the arm is not always straight, it must be rigid, and 
speed and accuracy are obtained in any position from two inches 
to six feet from the floor. 

The gloves form an important adjunct to American hand ball. 
The ideal glove is one that is entirely free from wrinkles or 
other imperfections on the face of the palm and fingers. The 
slightest defect in the palm is a prolific cause of errors, for all 
those shots that depend upon accuracy alone for success must 
be delivered from the exact center of the palm. To get the 
greatest possible degree of speed, the fingers should be turned 
in to a point at right angles to the arm and the ball be met 
slightly off the center of the palm and on the heel of the hand 
where the bones are the heaviest. The bare hand is impossible 
for two reasons: first, because the flesh is too soft and uneven; 
second, without gloves the ball gets wet from perspiration and 
performs so many freak curves that the game degenerates into a 
contest where skill is at a discount and luck is everything. 
Spalding's American Standard Hand Ball Glove meets all the 
requirements of this game, and, while a little stiff when new, 
it soon works into the correct shape and, being strong and free 
from wrinkles and other common faults, protects the ball from 
sweat. It is the only glove that fulfils all these requirements 
and it will wear much longer than any other glove. 

The clothing should be the least that the police will allow, as 
it is a hard game and too much clothing is a handicap. The 
pants should go slightly below the knees to prevent them from 
being skinned in falls. On concrete floors the knees should be 
padded. A shirt is worn merely for aesthetic reasons and should 
be nearly nothing, but a heavy sweater, or robe, should be very 
handy when a game is finished. Stockings should be short for 
indoor work and extend above the knee for outdoor work and 



38 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRAKY. 

sufficiently thick to prevent blistering the feet. A strong flexible 
jock strap should be worn. The shoes are very important; for 
indoor work on a wooden floor the}^ should be low oxford, 
canvas upper, with a rubber sole of good grade, which may not 
be more than a quarter of an inch thick, built onto the upper 
(not sewed on), and from the center of the sole at the ball of 
the foot, and extending to the inner edge of the sole there 
should be embedded in the regular sole a piece of almost pure 
gum about two inches square to insure a good grip, and, as 
that is where the bulk of the wear comes, it will materially extend 
the life of the shoe. For concrete floors, the upper may be 
either canvas or leather, but slightly higher to protect the ankle; 
the soles made of automobile tire fabric, sewed on to a leather 
insole and about three-eighths of an inch thick; nothing but 
this cotton and rubber combination will last more than a very 
few games on concrete. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 39 



Rule 1. The players must stand outside the court, in the 
field, until the ball is put in play by the server. 

Rule 2. The ball is in play when the server drops or throws 
it to the floor anywhere within the court on that side of the 
service line farthest from the board (or wall). 

Rule 3. The ball must touch the floor before the server can 
play it to the board and the play must be made on the first 
bound. 

Rule 4. A served ball, after leaving the board, must, with- 
out touching the floor, cross to that side of the service line 
farthest from the board and land within the court. 

Rule 5. A served ball must not be played on a fly, but on the 
first bounce only. 

Rule 6. If a served ball leaving the board first touches the 
floor before crossing the service line it is "short" and the same 
server serves again. 

Rule 7. If a served ball leaving the board first touches the 
floor on that side of the front line farthest from the board, it 
is "long." 

Rule 8. If one "long" and one '"short" or two "long" or two 
"short" balls served consecutively by the same server fail to 
touch the floor first within the court, between the service line and 
the front line, the server is out, and in doubles the side is out. 

Rule 9. If a served ball touch the floor outside the side lines 
of court, the server is out, and in doubles the side is out. 

Rule 10, All served balls and all returned balls must touch 
the board first before touching the floor. 

Rule 11. A ball leaving the board strikes an opposition 
player, it is against the side so struck and is either a point or a 
putout for the other side. 

Rule 12. A ball leaving the board strikes the player who 
returned it or, in doubles, that player's partner, it is against 
the side so struck, and is either a point or putout for the 
opposition. 



40 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

Rule 13. A ball, after leaving the hand of the player and 
while on its course toward the board, strikes an opposition 
player before touching the floor, it is a "hinder," and two 
"hinders" on one service constitute a point or a putout against 
the side making the "hinders." 

Rule 14. In doubles, a player, making an attempt to play a 
ball, completely misses it, his partner may play it. 

Rule 15. A ball that is short or long or outside the side lines 
is nevertheless played, the play may continue to the end of the 
rally and appeal then be taken to the referee, who must decide 
whether the ball was good or not. 

Rule 16. All balls must be played from the first bounce or 
fly, except the serve, which must be played from first bounce 
only. 

Rule 17. After the serve, any returned ball that first touches 
the floor or board outside the actual dimensions of the court, 
it is a point or a putout against the side making the return. 

Rule 18. The player must strike the ball with the front of 
either hand and no other part of his anatomy. 

Rule 19. A player may place a ball with relation to himself 
so as to block or prevent his opponent from having free access to 
the ball, but the blocking movement must be complete at the 
time of returning the ball and not after the ball has left his hand. 

Rule 20. In doubles, a player may place a ball so that his 
partner may block either opponent, as in Rule 19. 

Rule 21. In doubles, a player must not take up a position to 
block an opponent after the ball has left the board. 

Rule 22. A player running away from the board In pursuit 
of the ball has the right of way and is not subject to any form 
of blocking after he has passed the service line. 

Rule 23. A player already In position, or while taking a 
position to return the ball, must not be blocked, unless the 
blocking movement was made before the. ball left the board. 

Rule 24. In doubles, the server's partner may stand at each 
serve, between their two opponents, but he must move away 
from any served ball so at least one of their opponents shall 
have free access to the ball. 



SPAIiDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRAEY. 41 

Rule 25. A player may return the ball and block his oppo- 
nent by a single act, but the blocking part of the act must end 
when the ball leaves the hand. 

Rule 26. In doubles, each side shall alternate in the service 
as well as in the defensive positions, and no player shall play 
the same defensive position or do the serving all the time. 

Rule 27. When the ball is coming off the board, a player 
must not pass between the oncoming ball and his opponent, 
but may pass under the ball or around his opponent. 

Rule 28. Twenty-one points constitutes a full game. 

Rule 29. Should each side score twenty points, either must 
score two consecutive points on one service to win. 

Rule 30. Before starting a game, the players may agree 
among themselves as to the defensive positions they will play; 
after the first game they must alternate in each game. 

Rule 31. The players shall toss a coin to determine which 
side shall serve the first ball, after which they will play for 
the service, the first point or putout winning said service, when 
the regular game shall start. 

Rule 32. The officials of the game shall be a referee and an 
umpire. 

Rule 33. The referee shall have charge of the game, direct 
the players, make the decisions, Impose all penalties and enforce 
the rules. 

Rule 34. The referee may move about to any position in the 
field, but not In the court while the ball is in play. 

Rule 35. After the start of game, neither side shall delay the 
game more than one minute without the consent of the referee. 

Rule 36. The referee may order the game resumed at any time 
after one minute, time to be computed from the last score or 
putout. 

Rule 37. For unfair blocking or any kind of intentional inter- 
ference the referee may Impose a fine against the offending side 
of from one to five points by subtracting such points from the 
score, thus requiring the offender to earn the fine plus twenty- 
one points to win. 

Rule 3S. Ha player be injured while playing, he may ask 



42 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

for time to recover, and the referee may grant one or more 
minutes, in his discretion, but not more than five minutes without 
the consent of the other side. 

Rule 39. For refusing to abide by a decision of the referee, he 
may fine the offending side one point for every minute the game 
is delayed, up to five minutes, when he shall forfeit the game to 
the innocent side, and the score shall stand 21 to in favor of 
the innocent side. 

Rule 40. In all important or championship games, the winner 
must be victorious in at least three of five games. 

Rule 41. The time between games shall be not more than ten 
minutes, at the end of which time the referee shall direct the 
players to start the next game. 

Rule 42. For fighting or roughing, the referee may fine the 
offending side from one to five points, as in Rule 37, or forfeit 
the game to the innocent side. 

Rule 43. If a player be guilty of an unfair act which does 
not affect the play, the referee may warn him, but upon repeat- 
ing the same unfair act, whether intentional or not, he may fine 
him, even if the play was not affected. 

Rule 44. The umpire shall watch the players for any kind of 
unfair play; watch the balls that land on or near the side lines; 
keep the score of game; and call the attention of the referee to 
any irregularities of play. 

Rule 45. On any point involving the interpretation of the 
rules, appeal from the referee's decision may be made to the 
umpire, whose decision shall be fi.nal. 

Rule 46. The referee may stop play any time and confer 
with the umpire on any point before rendering his decision if 
he believes the umpire has better knowledge of the play. 

Rule 47. During the progress of the game, if a legal ball 
should strike either the referee or the umpire the ball is "dead," 
with no advantage to either side. 

Rule 48. Points can only be scored by the side serving; put- 
outs by the defensive or side not serving. 

Rule 49. Any ball after leaving the board first touches the 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 43 

floor on any line of the court is deemed good, but where such 
balls are very doubtful, the referee may direct the ball be served 
over again, without advantage to either side; provided, however, 
that if both the referee and the umpire decide any ball good, it 
shall not be played over. 

Rule 50. Gloves must be worn, and they must be made so as 
to effectually prevent the sweat of the hands from getting on 
the ball. 

Rule 51. During the progress of the game, if a ball become 
wet from any cause the referee may stop the play, see that the 
ball is properly dried, then direct play be resumed with the 
serve without advantage to either side. 

Rule 52. The ball must be not less than one inch and seven- 
eighths of an inch and not more than two inches in diameter, 
when inflated with air pressure to thirty pounds per square inch, 
made of gum and carbon and to weigh not more than two and 
one-quarter ounces and not less than two ounces. 

Rule 53-. The court shall consist of a floor, a board and a 
field. The board shall be 10 feet high and 20 feet wide, made 
of at least two layers of finished boards, both tongued and 
grooved, backed by studding not less than 2 inches by 4 inches, 
twelve inches apart, and secured to a wall or in the ground in a 
manner to completely prevent vibration. The surface of board 
must be smooth and painted with at least two coats of white 
paint, but no lines. The space immediately adjoining the board 
shall be of such material as to produce a distinctly different sound 
when struck by the ball than the board gives. 

Rule 54. The floor shall be 20 feet wide and 26 feet long; , 
the service line shall be drawn across the floor at a point exactly 
in the middle between the front line and the board, and the lines 
of the floor shall be red, 2 Inches wide, and the floor must be 
smooth but not polished. 

Rule 55. The field shall be the territory immediately adjoin- 
ing the "floor" on all sides except the board side and shall be 55 
feet wide, including floor of court, and 40 feet long, including 
floor of court, and shall not be polished or slippery. 



46 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 



Get — A return of a shot that should have scored for the player 
\/ho made it; a difficult return without any regard to placing. 
Hinder — A returning ball that strikes an opposition player. 

Rally — A rapid returning of the ball by both sides, without 
advantage to either, for a period of one or more minutes. 

Killed ball — Generally a scoring shot so low that the resultant 
bounce is barely perceptible. 

Ace — A point scored by a shot that the opposition failed even 
to touch, legally. 

Error — Any ball that the player can and does touch legally, 
but fails to return to the board legally. Classification of errors 
of judgment we leave to the imagination. 

Fluke — Any extraordinary shot that was palpably not intended 
by the player who made it. 

Safety — A shot made from a weak position that prevents what 
looked like a sure score for the opposition. 

Cutting the line — All shots that are intentionally played close 
to or upon the front line. 

Shading the line — Any shot that follows close to or upon either 
side line. 

Wild — A player is "wild" when his shots fail to strike the 
board within five feet of where he obviously intended; if not 
within ten feet, he should consult an alienist. 

Steady — A player is "steady" when he is able to place seventy- 
five per cent, of his shots within two feet of his mark. li within 
two inches, the opposition should learn what meat^he feeds on. 

Serve — One ball served from serving position. 

Service — A number of consecutive serves by the same player. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 47 



American hand ball courts out of doors should be constructed 
as follows : Chestnut posts six inches square, sixteen feet longj 
placed five feet apart — that is, four posts — and six feet in the 
ground or in concrete; across the posts, one foot apart, strips 
of white pine one inch thick and three inches wide should be 
nailed horizontally; on the strips boards of white pine one inch 
thick, not over six inches wide, tongued and grooved, finished 
both sides, should be nailed vertically; here, put on one coat of 
good filler paint, both sides. Where it is intended to build a 
series of courts this construction should continue without a 
break, to provide the desired number of courts together with 
the field of each. 

To complete the playing board, boards two inches wide, one 
inch thick, finished both sides, tongued and grooved, should be 
nailed horizontally to the vertical boards the exact width and 
height of the board, or twelve feet wide by ten feet high, mak- 
ing lines on the board unnecessary, thereby removing a fruitful 
cause of disputes and arguments, for in playing the whole board, 
if the ball misses the board, it strikes a different structure, 
makes a different sound and that ends it. The board should then 
be painted with one coat of filler and two coats of white paint 
and when dirty should be washed, but no more paint added until 
the original paint is washed too thin to give a uniform color. 

The rear of the board and continuing structure should be 
properly and securely braced so that even any vibration is impos- 
sible. There must be no "give" to the board on the impact of 
the ball or the ball will lose speed. The top of the structure, 
including the board, should have studding two inches thick, four 
inches wide and ten feet long, extending outward and upward 
over the court and field, covered with wire netting, one and a 
half inch mesh, to keep the ball in sight. The face of the 
structure not occupied by the board or boards should be painted 
the same as the board, but the color should be light green, and 



48 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

the rear of the entire structure should be painted as often as 
necessary. 

The floor of the court may be made of concrete, finished 
smooth but not glazed. The concrete need not necessarily extend 
over the whole playing field; if it extends beyond the court five 
ieet all around it will be satisfactory, provided the rest of the 
playing field is made of sand and clay and kept well rolled, and 
it should also drain away from the court on the three sides. 
Of course, the very best floor is built like the board, with the 
beams laid in concrete, but the wood floor costs more in upkeep 
than concrete, for the latter costs practically nothing if built 
right in the first place. 

At the back and sides of playing field, a fence fifteen feet high 
and covered with wire netting should be built to save time look- 
ing for lost balls. A dirt floor for a court is impossible with 
any combination of materials, because it kills the speed of the 
ball. A fine place for outdoor courts is on top of buildings, 
especially high ones, where the air is pure and the sunshine per- 
fect; played under such circumstances the benefit is equal to a 
trip to the country. There is no other game that can be played 
on top of buildings, because all other games require too much 
floor area, while American hand ball can be played very satis- 
factorily on a space forty feet square. Roof courts should be 
well guarded on the sides, to make it impossible under any con- 
ceivable circumstance that a player could go over the coping, 
and the court should be entirely covered with wire netting, 
allowing a headroom of not less than fifteen feet. As roofs are 
usually constructed now, the roof proper would answer very well 
for the court by simply painting the lines of the court thereon, 
but the board should be properly built and on most buildings 
can be secured to some existing wall or coping, making it a 
very inexpensive proposition. It should be possible for a busi- 
ness man to leave his desk, go to the roof of his building, play 
two or three games of American hand ball, take a shower bath 
also in the building, and be back at his desk in one hour, greatly 
improved in mind and body. 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 49 

Indoor courts can be built in several ways and very inexpen- 
sively. Once built their maintenance cost is very slight. In 
gymnasiums, the regulation board, twenty by ten feet, with two 
layers of boards, can be constructed and secured to any existing 
wall of the building, painted white and without lines, with the 
adjoining walls of building also white, so as to obtain all the 
light possible. The floor of the court can be the regular floor 
of the gymnasium, with the court lines painted red; this allows 
for the use of the floor space for other than hand ball purposes 
when desired. The floor should be gone over about every three 
months with a thin coat of a mixture of varnish and oil to take 
the glazed surface off and enable the players to get a hold on 
the floor with their shoes. A slippery floor spoils the game. The 
floor should always be perfectly even, if necessary planed and 
then oiled, but a slight "give" to the floor is not a detriment, for 
it is easier on the feet and legs of the players and does not affect 
the ball unfavorably. About forty feet from the board it is well 
to stretch a cotton net not over four feet high across the width 
of the playing field to stop the ball and prevent unnecessary 
interruptions to the game. Lighting for indoor courts, to permit 
playing at night, may be by either incandescent or arc lights. If 
incandescent, the lights should be placed about two feet from the 
board on both sides of the board against the wall on a vertical 
line, in a series of ten bulbs, laid in a metal reflector and covered 
with stout wire netting. Above the court, two series of the 
same kind, but with the bulbs eighteen inches apart, one end of 
each series to be about four feet from the board on the side line 
and to extend away from the board to a point where the other 
end of each series shall be not more than five feet from the side 
line. Metal reflectors and heavy wire netting as before. If arc 
lights are to be used there should be four placed approximately 
at the corners of the court, but the two nearest the board should 
be fiv^e feet from the wall and two feet frojn the side line. The 
other two should be within the court, two feet from the side line 
and two feet from the front line, and about five feet higher than 
those nearest the board, which should be ten feet above the floor. 



50 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 

The two inner lights should have metal reflectors throwing the 
light directly on and from the board to the front line, the two 
outer lights being principally to increase the volume of light in 
the court and playing field. It is difficult to say which system of 
lighting is the best, but both should not be used on the same 
court, for different colored rays of light would cause trouble in 
judging the ball. 

American hand ball may be played with three men, the server 
being the only one who can score; the other two players work 
as partners and try to put the server out, one following the 
other in the service, irrespective of which one caused the putout. 
After the fi.rst server is put out, he becomes the partner of the 
third man and so on. 

One man may play two men by giving them two services to 
his one and having them both play against him all of the time. 

American hand ball is as strenuous as hockey or basket ball, 
with the body checking left out, when played by good players, 
and five spirited games is about all any well-trained athlete can 
stand, for it uses up energy at a truly frightful clip. On the 
other hand, unlike hockey, basket ball or foot ball, it can be 
played leisurely, like tennis or golf, by those who wish a keen 
contest with fun and diversion, but without extraordinary effort. 
Heavy men should play with heavy men. Men of middle age 
and all others should play with those of about equal skill, for 
there is not much fun for the low score in a one-sided game. 
The main thing is to fijid players of all degrees of skill at the 
time and place available. In view of the fact that the game is 
rapidly spreading to all the large cities this should not be very 
difficult. 

Athletes who have obtained prominence, or who desire to do 
so, In basket ball, foot ball, base ball, soccer, tennis, cricket, pole 
vaulting, jumping, sparring, etc., should make American hand ball 
their preliminary training and for the following reasons : 

It will enormously improve the ability to judge distance 
quickly; trains the eye in judging direction accurately and 
quickly; educates the mind to always have complete control of 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY. 51 

the body under all conditions ; greatly improves dodging ability ; 
gives a feeling of confidence in meeting new situations ; very 
greatly increases the ability to make a quick start, and a quick 
stop; it dievelops a larger number of muscles than any other 
sport; it strengthens the body organically, especially the liver 
and stomach, and makes training pleasant instead of a bore. 

BALL 

American hand balls are one and seven-eighths inches outside 
diameter when inflated, with one-quarter inch walls, containing 
air to a pressure of thirty pounds to a square inch. Such balls 
are moderately fast when new, and they should be, for the 
difficulty of controlling the ball, that is, driving it where you 
want to, is what makes the game interesting. Those players 
learning the game should start with used balls that have been 
discarded by the more experienced players. 

GLOVES 

American hand ball cannot be played without gloves. Being a 
very fast game, perspiration starts quickly, and if sweat or any 
liquid gets on the ball it takes all manner of freak shoots and 
there is no way of judging it. Also the bare flesh of the hand 
does not offer a hard or smooth surface to the ball. 

The best gloves are those the palms of which are free from 
wrinkles, smooth and but slightly flexible. They should fit 
snugly but not tightly. A hand ball glove should help the player 
to control the ball by increasing the percentage of accurate 
shots. All imperfections in the gloves tend to destroy the 
efficiency of the player. 



52 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBKARY 



Following will be found the rules of the Gaelic Athletic As- 
sociation of Ireland. They differ mainly from those in vogue in 
America. Under the Irish rules fifteen aces constitutes a game 
instead of twenty-one, and in tossing the ball the server can as- 
sume any position he pleases inside of the short line. The Gaelic 
rules were framed with a view to govern matches in all sizes and 
shapes of alleys and courts, and subject to all conditions and 
circumstances imaginable. In Ireland, as a rule, impromptu 
matches are played against the nearest gable end or wall without 
regard to size, and it is to cover such contests as well as those in 
the regulation alley that the Gaelic rules were drafted. 

The Court or Alley. 

1. A line called the short line must be drawn parallel to the 
front wall, not nearer to it than half the length, nor further from 
it than two-thirds of the length of the floor. 

Note. — For alleys or courts with a clay floor the short lines 
should be two-thirds of the length from the front wall, but for 
concrete, flagged, or bricked floors the short line should be nearer 
the centre. 

2. A line should be drawn at the extreme edge of the floor, if 
there be no back wall, six feet from the boundary, to keep off 
spectators, and parallel to the front wall. This line to be called 
the over line. 

3. Where there are no side walls, or where the side walls do not 
extend to the over line, lines should be drawn from the ends of 
the front wall or side wall to the extremities of the over lines. 
These lines to be called side lines. 

4. A floor should be sixty feet long, or as near to it as possible. 
A tell-board four inches high should be placed at the base of the 
front wall. A ball striking the tell-board should be considered 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 53 

as striking the floor. The upper edge of the tell-board should be 
beveled. 

The Balls. 

5. The balls to be hard and covered with sheepskin or any 
suitable kind of leather. No ball to be less than one and a half or 
more than one and three-quarter ounces in weight. 

The Play. 

6. A game to consist of fifteen aces, and to be won by whichever 
player or team gets this number. 

7. A rubber may consist of any odd number of games, and will 
be won by whichever gains the greater number of games. 

8. A "home and home" rubber to be played in the two alleys or 
courts belonging to the challenged and challenging players — as 
many games as "may be agreed on to be played in the one alley or 
court, and the remainder or a sufficient number of games to decide 
the rubber in the second alley or court. 

9. Before commencing a rubber the opposing players shall toss 
for choice of inside or outside ground. One "hand" shall be given 
for first innings of every game ; two "hands" for second and suc- 
ceeding innings, if there be two players on each side; and three 
"hands" for third and succeeding innings "if there be three players 
on each side. When one game is finished the winners will have 
choice of ground. 

10. All balls served out from the front wall to the outside must 
be tossed — that is, hopped and struck with the hand against the 
front wall. Jerking not to be allowed in inter-alley, champion- 
ship, or inter-county matches. 

11. An ace to count when an outside player misses a ball, fails 
to return one which has been tossed out or played to him, or 
makes a "foul." A "hand out" to count when an inside player 
misses a ball, fails to return one which has been played to him, 
or makes a "foul." 

12. Touching a ball to be considered as playing to it ; should it 
be played to a second time by the player who struck it, or his 



54 SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 

partner, before reaching the front wall, it shall be foul, and count 
as an ace or hand out. Playing to a ball on the second succeeding 
hop to be foul, and an ace or hand out. 

13. Should a pla3^er catch, or deliberately stop a ball going to the 
front wall, a hand out or ace should be given according as the of- 
fender is an inside or outside player. 

14. A ball which crosses the side line or side wall will be an ace 
or hand out, according as the player who last played to it is an 
inside or outside player. When a ball crossing the side line be 
struck at and missed before it hops, an ace shall be given against 
the player who missed. If the ball has hopped, and the player is 
not sure whether it is inside the line or not, he should call for 
judgment, and proceed as in Rule 23. 

15. Should a playei strike a ball and it to go up off his partner 
it is foul, and shall count as an ace or hand out. Should a player 
strike at a ball with both hands together it is fouL. 

Service. 

"16. The partner or partners of the player who Is serving must 
stand at side line or side wall and inside the short line until the 
ball is served. 

17. No ball to be tossed out until the outside players are in posi- 
tion outside the short line. The judge may disallow any ball 
tossed out before the outside players are prepared, or while a 
question of judgment is being decided. 

18. If the player who is serving tosses the ball over the side line 
or side wall, it will be a hand out. Should he fail to toss three 
successive balls between the short and over lines it will be a hand 
out. Should he strike the ball against the ground, the side wall, 
or his own person ere striking the front wall, it will be a hand out. 
Should he miss the ball when tossing it will be a hand out. 
Should he jerk the ball it will be a hand out. A ball hopping on 
a line to be over that line. 

19. All balls tossed out between the short and over line must be . 
played to unless they have touched the player who served them or 
his partner after leaving the front wall, or unless the judge dis- 



SPALDING'S ATHLETIC LIBRARY 55 

allows them. Should the partner of the player who is serving 
prevent a ball crossing the side line it will be foul. 

20. Should the player who is tossing, or his partner, catch the 
ball before it hops a second time, it will be a hand out. Should 
the outside player catch a ball before it hops a second time, unless 
he be standing four feet outside the over line, it will be an ace. 

Hinders. 

21. Should a player strike a ball and it afterwards strike his 
opponent, it shall be a hinder, and must be played over. 

22. Should a ball coming from the front wall strike the player 
who put it up, or his partner, it is a hinder. 

2^. Should a player, while the ball is in play, think that a foul 
has occurred, he must call for judgment and play on. When the ball 
has been played out the judge will decide if a foul has occurred, 
and give his decision accordingly. Should no foul have taken 
place the result of the play will count. The judge may, if he 
wishes, declare an ace or hand out when a foul occurs without 
waiting for the ball to be played out. 

24. Should a player obstruct another in such a manner that he 
cannot play, the judge may give a hinder. Should the obstruction 
be wilful, the judge may give an ace or hand out against the 
offender. 

25. Any ball brought off the front wall in play to or beyond the 
over line shall count dead and be played over. 

26. When a ball is over or short the player may, or may not, as 
he pleases, pla^' to it. Should he try to play to it and miss, \\ will 
be an ace. Should he call "over" or "short," and put the ball up, 
it will be dead and must be played over. 

27. In a court, a ball brought off front wall in play over back 
wall shall be dead and shall be played over, 

28. The decision of the judge to be final. 



^fiiK THE SPALDING 




TRADEMARK S/rf 



SPALDING HAND BALLS 

Hand ball, played indoors, will keep base ball players and other athletes in 
good condition during hard weather w^hen outdoor athletics are out of the 
question. The leather covered hand balls we make are wound by hand, 
and are the same as those used by the best ball players in this country. 

Leather Covered 
Hand Balls 

No. 1. Match, regulation size 

and w^eight. . Each, $1.25 

No. 2. Expert. . " .50 

No. 4. Amateur. " .25 



Rubber Hand Balls 

No. 6. Black Rubber, best quality Each, 35c. 

Red Ace, Irish Regulation red rubber ball " 35c. 

Black Ace, Irish Regulation black rubber ball ** 35c. 

No. 0. Squash Balls, with "overspun" cover. Popular for hand ball. " 50c 





HAND BALL GLOVES 




No. B No. A No. 2 No. 3 

No. B. Stiff flat fingers and palm of solid leather. Patented construction 
and the most practical style glove for the game as played in this country. 
Patented January 6, 1914 Pair, $3.50 

No. A. Best quality black leather; stitched palm. Palm lec^ther lined. 

Pair. $2.50 

No. 2. Soft tan leather, stitched palm " 1.50 

No. 3. Fingerless '' .75 



PROMFTAnENTIONCIVENTOl 

m COMMUNICATIONS 

ADDRESSED TO US 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



I FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT GOVEB 

OF THIS BOOK 



7*ricts In tffccl Julu 5,1915 Sutjttl to change without notice. For Canadian pricet tee tficdal Canad i an Caloloigu*. 



ACCEPT NO 
SUBSTITUTE 




THES^ALDING((^))TRADEMARK 



GUARANTEES 
QUALITY 



SPALDING GYMNASIUM SHOES 

(t&nmulam Sfcoe» must t>e comfortable and easy, yet fit snugly and give the wearer a sure footmg- they must aUo be^urablfc^ 
^ ■ Spalding Gymnasium Shoes possess all of these good qualities and, in addition, are reasonable m pne*.. 



No. IS 

Correct 

Shoes for 

Boxing 




No. 15. High cut, kanga- 
roo uppers, genuine elk- 
skin soles. Will not slip 
on floor; extra light. The 
.correct shoes to wear for 
boxing. Pair. $5.00 

No. 155. High cut, elk- 
skin soles, and will not 
slip on floor; soft and flex- 
ible. . . . Pair, $4.50 

No. 166. Low cut, se. 
lected leather, extra light 
and electric soles; 
men's sizes only. 

Pair, $3.00 

No. 66L. Worrten's. Low 
cut, extra light, selected 
leather uppers. Electric 
soles. . . Pair, $3.00 

No. 90L. Women's. Low 
cut, black leather, elec- 
tric soles and corrugated 
rubber heels. Pair, $2.50 

No. 21. High cut, black 
leather, electric soles. 
Sewed .and turhed, 
which makes shoes ex- 
tremely light and flexible. 
Pair, $2.50 

No. 20. "Low cut. Other- 
wse as No. 2 \ . Sewed 
and turned shoes. 

Pair. $2.00 

No. 20L. Women's. Other- 
wise as No. 20. Sew^ed 
and turned shoes. 

Pair, $2.00 



'No. 133. Best selected 
black kid uppers, soles 
with flexible shank. Very 
satisfactory fo'r general 
gymnasium and camping 
use. . . . Pair, $4.50 

Spalding 
Special Bowling Shoes 
No, 148. For bowling 
and general gymnasium 
use. Light drab chrome 
tanned leather uppers 
with electric soles. Laces 
extremely low down. 

Pair, $3.50 



No. 166 




No.90t 




No. 20 





PftOMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO I 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADOBESSEDTOUS 



A. G.SPALDING &, BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



I FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOOt 



Thtca In eftcl lulu 5. 19 f 5 5u4;ec/ to cAanpJ wilhoul nofiec For Canadian prices ttc special Canadian Cuto/oguo 



lEMfSKIi 



SUBSTITUTE 



MBM 





No. AB, 




SPALDING BASKET BALL SHOES 

Spalding "Sprinting" Basket Ball Shoes 
No. BBS. Made with flexible shank, on same principle as on ' 
"sprinting" base ball and foot ball shoes. Elxtremely light 
in weight, well finished inside. Improved patented pure 
gum thick rubber suction soles, with reinforced edges, 
absolutely guaranteed to give satisfaction with reasonable 
use. Lace extremely far down. Uppers of best quality 
black genuine kangaroo leather. Light, flexible and dur- 
able. Strictly bench made. Supplied on special order only, 
not carried in stock. .... Pair, $8.00 * $750 Pair. 

On orders/or five pairs or more, price in italics, preceded by -k, will apply, 

SPECIAL NOTICE — In a game like basket ball, which is played 
generally on board floors, there is a, strain on the feet altogether different 
from that in almost any other athletic game, and to support this stram, 
properly made shoes with leather uppers and correctly shaped soles 
are absolutely necessary It is a fact that players on many teams wear 
canvas top shoes and we supply in our No. P shoes, listed below, 
absolutely the best canvas top basket ball shoes ever made, and the 
same style as worn by some very successful teams, but from our 
long experience in catering to athletes and watching closely, as we 
have done, the development of basket ball and its effects on the 
physical condition of players, Vfe cannot consistently recommend can- 
vas top shoes for any athletic use and especially not for basket ball, 





No. AB. High cut, 
drab calf, Blucher 
cut; heavy red rub- 
ber suction soles, 
superior quality. 

Pair, $5.00 

No.BBL.Womens. 
High cut, black 
chrome leather, 
good quality red 
rubber suction 
soles. Pair, $4.50 



Spalding Special Canvas Top Basket Ball Shoes 

Special quality soft rubber soles. These soles absolutely 
hold on the most slippery floor. Light weight, durable, 
correct in design. Sizes 5 to 1 f only. No other sizes. 
No. P. Pair, $37^0 * $39.00 Dozen pairs. 

On orders f<rr five pairs or more, pric^ in italics, preceded by ir, wiU apply. 




PROMPT AHENTION GIVEN TO 

ANY COMMUNICATIONS 

ADORESSEO TO US 



A.G.SPALDING &, BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 
SEE INSIDE FRONT COVEB 
OFTHISBflOl 



'^!^^rS7u/!/ 5. 1915 Subject IP change wUhoul noacc' For Canadian pricts xe apcci6i CmaSan Cotakguc 



sSbKeTHE SPALDING 




TRADEMARK 



GUARANTEES 
QUALITY 




SPALDING BASKET BALL KNEE PADS AND PROTECTORS 

r — ' ^ t^ ~ \j 

NO.EF No.9KP No. KP t ^J No. KE " No. KC 

No. EF. Combinecl. elbow pad and elastic bandage. Padded with felt strips. The complete woven elastic bandage 
furnishes support to the elbow while the special arrangement of the felt strips provides protection against bruises. 

Pair, $2.00 -^ pl.dff Doz. prs 

No. KF. Same as No. EF. but for knee instead of elbow. ... " 2.00 * 21.60 

No. 9KP.. Solid leather knee cap, heavily padded with felt. Conforms to rurve of knee. Leather strap-and-buckle for 
fastenihg Pair. $3.50 -^ S39.00 Doz. prs. 

No. KP. Made entirely of felt. Otherwise similar to No. 9KP. . " 2.25-^ 24.30 

No. KE. Coinbined leather covered roll style knee pad with elastic reinforcement at either end which holds pad in place 
and gives additional support. ........ Pair. $2.50 -jf $27 .00 Doz. prs 

No. KC. Combined canvas covered knee pad lined with felt, and with elastic rein- 
forcement at either end \ , . . Pair, $1.00 -k $10.80 Doz. prs. ^ ^...-.^w ^a,^ . 

No. 1. Knee pad, knit knee piece, heavily padded with woolskin. . . Pair, 75c. ^, '...2j- ^^^ILj 

Spalding Thumb Protector «=• «.n,.^_-. 

No.T. Substantial support for thumb and wrist; will answer for either right ox 

left hand, .. ._ ...,.,.. ... . . . Each, 50c. No.T 

Spalding Special Basket Ball Pants 






No. 6B No. SB No. 7B 

No. 6B. Good quality, either Gray or White flannel, padded lightly on hips , very loose fitting. 

V^n.%\n^-k$]S.90Dox.prs. NO.40P 

No. SB. Heavy Brown or White canvas, padded lightly on hips: verv loose fitting; . . Pair, i\.0Qi($W.80Doz.prs. 

No. 7B. White silesia, hips padded ; loose fitting. , i ,.,;.,,,.... i " •75-^ S.JO 

No. 40P. Padded knee length pants. White siledia. I ....... ^ . .^. . " l.OO-k /O.S(f " 

No. 40. Similar to No. 40P. but unpadded .:,......... " .75* S./O " 

Stripes down sides of any of above pants, extra. Pair, 2Sc. -^ f2.70 Doz. prs. 

The pmes printed in italics opposite items marked with * will be quoted only on orders for one-half dosen or mart 

Quantity prices NOT allow ed on item s NOT marked wUh'k 



PROMPT mENTION GIVEN TO I 

tNY COMMyNICATIONS 

JJODRESSEDTOOS 



A.G.SPALDING &. BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVER 

OF THIS BOOK 



7*riBa fii 4fec/ M/ 5. I9t5. Subiect lo change uHlKoul notice. For Canadian firica me tficdal CmO/^an Catalogue. 



SPALDING OFFICIAL BASKET BALL 

Cover is made in four sections, with capless ends and of finest and most 
carefully selected pebble grain leather, special tanned. Extra heavy 
bladder, made especially for this ball, of extra quality pure Para rubber 
(not compounded). Each ball packed complete, in sealed box, -with ra"w- 
hide lace and lacing needle, and guaranteed perfect in every detaiL 

No. M. Spalding Official Basket Ball. Each, $7.50 




\X7C' GUARANTEE *^*® ^^^^ *** ^® perfect in material and workmanship and 
V»V^r*ixr^i^ correct in shape and size when inspected at our factory. 

If any defect is discovered during the first game in which it is used, or during the first 
day's practice use, and, if returned at once, w^e w^ill replace same under this guarantee. 
We do not guarantee against ordinary wear nor against defect in shape or size that is 
not discovered immediately after the first day's use. Owing to the superb quality of 
our No. M Basket Ball, our customers have grown to expect a season's use of one ball, 
and at times make unreaisonable claims under our guarzuitee, which we will not allow. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 



PROMPT ATTENTION GIVEN TO 

ANY GOMMUNICATiONS 

AODBESSEOTOyS 



A.G.SPALDING & BROS. 

STORES IN ALL LARGE CITIES 



I FOR COMPLETE LIST OF STORES 

SEE INSIDE FRONT COVEB 

OF THIS BOOI 



yrtca fo efftct Jidy S , 19 ti- Subject to chongf voithout n otice. For Canadian frioea ten tpecial CmaJian Calal^iiu 



STANDARD QUALITY 

An «rti<:le that is universally given the appellation "Standard" is thereby conceded to be the Criterion, to which are 
compared all other things of a similar nature. For instance, the Gold Dollar of the United States is the Standard unit 
of currency, because it must legally contain a specific proportion of pure gold, and the fact of its being Genuine is 
guaranlted by the Government Stamp thereon. As a protection to the users of this currency against counterfeiting and 
other tricks, considerable money is expended in maintaining a Secret Service Bureau of Experts. Under the law, citizen 
manufacturers must depend to a great extent upon Trade-Marks and similar devices to protect themselves against coun- 
terfeit products— without the aid of "Government Detectives" or "Public Opinion" to assist them. 

Consequently the "Consumer's Protection" against misrepresentation and "inferior quality" rests entirely upon the 
integrity and responsibility of the "Manufacturer." 

A. G. Spalding & Bros, have, by their rigorous attention to "Quality." for thirty.nine years, caused their Trade-Mark to 
become knowri throughout the world as a Guarantee of Quality as dependable in their field as the U. S. Currency is in its field. 

The necessity of upholding the guarantee of the Spalding Trade-Marl? and maintaining the Standard Quality of their 
Athletic Goods, is, therefore, as obvious as is the necessity of the Government in maintaining a Standard Currency. 

Thus each consumer is not only insuring himself but also protecting other consumers when he assists a Reliable 
Manufacturer in upholding his Trade-Mark and all that it stands for. Therefore, we urge all users of our Athletic 
Goods to assist us in maintaining the Spalding Standard of Excellence, by insisting that our Trade-Mark be plainly 
stamped on all athletic goods which they buy. because without this precaution our best efforts towards maintaining 
Standard Quality and preventing fraudulent substitution will be ineffectual. 

Manufacturers of Standard Articles invariably suffer the reputation of being high-priced, and this sentiment is fostered 
and emphasized by makers of "inferior goods," with whom low prices are the main consideration. 

A manufacturer of recognized Standard Goods, with a reputation to uphold and a guarantee to protect, must neces. 
Mrily have higher prices than a manufacturer of cheap goods, whose idea of and basis of a claim for Standard Quality 
depends principally upon the eloquence of the 'Salesman. ^.^ 

We know from experience that there is no quicksand more unstable ^yf^r^^^^ ^"7 * ..-^ 

Uian poverty in quality— and we avoid this quicksand by Standard Quality. K^yTji <yy^i'^^<^ /yj^j^^ 



STANDARD POLICY 

A Standard Quality must be inseparably linked to a Standard Policy.- 

Without a definite and Standard Mercantile Policy, it is impossible for a Manufacturer to long maintain a Standard Quality. 

To market his goods through the jobber, a manufacturer must provide a profit for the jobber as well as for the retail 
dealer. To meet these conditions of Dual Profits, the manufacturer is obliged to set a proportionately high list price on 
his goods to the consumer. 

To enable the glib salesman, when booking his orders, to figure out attractive profits to both the jobber and retailer, 
these high list prices are absolutely essential ; but their real purpose will have been served when the manufacturer has 
•ecured his order from the jobber, and the jobber has secured his order from the retailer. 

However, these deceptive high li^ prices are not fair to the consumer, who does not, and, in reality, is not ever 
expected to pay these fancy list prices. 

When the season opens for the sale of sw)t saods. with their misleading but alluring high list prices, the retailer 
begins to realize his responsibilities, and grapples vmh 'die situation as best he can, by offering "special discounts," which 
vary with local trade conditions. 

Under this system of merchandising, the profits to both thfe manufacturer anithe jobber are assured-; but as there is 
no stability maintained in the prices to the consumer, the keen Competition amongst the local dealers invariably leads to a 
demoralized cutting of prices by which the profits of the retailer are practically eliminated. 

This demoralization always reacts on the manufacturer. The jobber insists on lower, and still lower, prices. The 
manufacturer, in his turn, meets this demand for the lowering of prices by the only way open to him, viz.: the cheapening 
and degrading of the quality of his product. 

The foregoing conditions became so intolerable that, 16 years ago, in 1899, A. G. Spalding & Bros, determined to rectify 
this demoralization in the Athletic Goods Trade, and inaugurated what has since become known as "The Spalding Policy." 

The "Spalding Policy" eliminates the jobber entirely, so far as Spalding Goods are concerned, and the retail dealer 
secures the supply of Spalding Athletic Goods direct from the manufacturer by which the retail dealer is assured a fair, 
legitimate and certain profit on all Spalding Athletic Goods, and the consumer is assured a Standard Quality and is 
protected from imposition. 

The "Spalding Policy" is decidedly for the interest and protection of the users of Athletic CcSods, and act* in two wayti 

™,ST.— The user U assured of genuine Official Standard Athletic Goods. 

SECOND.-As manufacturers, we can proceed with confidence in purchasing at the proper lime, the very best raw 

materials required m (he manufacture of our various goods, well ahead of their respective seasons, and this enable* Ut tosro. 

vide the necessary quantity and absolutely maintain the Spalding Standard ot Quality. * "^ 

_ All retail dealers handling Spalding Athletic Goods are requested to supply consumers at our regular printed catalogue 
*'"*Atrcr^'lJ^' "j""^^ "°' '"*~''^^ same prices that similar goods are sold for in our New York, Chicago and other stores. 
All Spalding dealers, as well as users of Spalding Athletic Goods, are treated exactly alike, and no special rebates or 
aiscriminations are allowed to anyone. 

This, briefly, is the "Spalding Policy," which has already been in successful operation for the pa»t Idyettrt, ttnd will 
oe indehmtely continued. 

Id other words. "The Spalding Policy" « a "jquarc deal" for everybody. 

A, C. SPALDING «t BROS. 






I/a 

ATHLETIC I/IBRARY 



A separate book covers ever_y Athletic Sport 
and is Official and St; 
Price 10 cents eac 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



GRAND PRIZE 




029 714 087 



PARIS , 1900 



ST. Louls. 1904- O. It ir\. 1-/ 1/ 1 III VJ PARIS, igoo 

ATHLETIC GOODS 

ARE THE STANDARD OF THE \VORLD 



A.G. Spalding ^ Bros. 

MAINTAIN WHOLESALE end RETAIL STORES in the FOLLOWING CITIES 

NEW YORK CHICAGO ST. LOUIS 

BOSTON MILWAUKEE KANSAS CITY 

PHILADELPHIA DETROIT SAN FRANCISCO 

NEWARK CINCINNATI LOS ANGELES 

ALBANY CLEVELAND SEATTLE 

BUFFALO COLUMBUS SALT LAKE CITY 

SYRACUSE INDIANAPOLIS PORTLAND 

ROCHESTER PITTS BURGH Ml NNEAPOLI S 

BALTIMORE WASHINGTON ATLANTA ST. PAUL 

LONDON, ENGLAND LOUISVILLE DENVER 

LIVERPOOL. ENGLAND NEW ORLEANS DALLAS 

BIRMINGHAM. ENGLAND MONTREAL. CANADA 

MANCHESTER. ENGLAND TORONTO. CANADA 

EDINBURGH. SCOTLAND PARIS, FRANCE 

GLASGOW. SCOTLAND SYDNEY. AUSTRALIA 



factori.es ov. 
Tro de - A^cr 



NEW YORK CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO CHICOPEE. MASS. 
BROOKLYN BOSTON PHIIADEIf HIA LONDON, ENG. 



